12 Things to Do Before You Crash and Burn
Author(s): James Proimos, Jr.
James "Hercules" Martino has until the end of the summer (a.k.a. two weeks) to accomplish the
twelve tasks given to him by his Uncle Anthony. The tasks will take him to the far reaches of Baltimore, lead him to a Beautiful and Unattainable Woman, and change the way he sees his past, present, and future.
Spare in words, but abundant in big ideas and laugh out loud humor, James Proimos has crafted a novel for any teenager who's ever had a complicated relationship with a parent. In other words, everyone.
Review(s):
“Hercules charms readers with humor and honesty…” —School Library Journal
“This fun, slim book has a very interesting premise: a boy who happens to be nicknamed Hercules and who has recently lost his father is assigned twelve tasks (labors) to complete when he goes to stay with his uncle over the summer.” —VOYA
“Proimos fully inhabits the mind and voice of his hero, whose almost mythic journey offers moments hilarious, heartbreaking, and triumphant.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Told in short, near-poetic vignettes, the chapters of Proimos' first teen novel are packed with plenty of small details and genuine moments of ridiculous humor.” —Kirkus Reviews
American Library Association Quick Picks for Young Adults (2012), American Library Association Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adults (2012), Long-listed ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adults (2012)
ISBN: 9781596435957